Category: Interviews With Other Authors

Before I begin my interview, I would like to talk a little about Patty Wiseman. I have had the privilege of meeting some wonderful people who are authors over the past year and a half and one of those people is Patty Wiseman. I met Patty on Goodreads and we chatted. Later, I had a book signing in Longview, Texas and much to my surprise Patty came to my signing. We hit it off right away. She is a pleasure to be around and likes to talk as much as I do. She interviewed me on her blog about my book and I told myself that when Patty became an author, I would interview her. It’s a little late coming, because Patty became a published author in August, and I do have to apologize to her. lol.

Welcome, Patty. So glad I finally get to interview you. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Let me say a great big “Thank you” Karen for having me here today! I am very fortunate to call you ‘friend’, literally! I remember the time I met you and your wonderful family at that little coffee shop where you were having a book signing. We have become good friends!

A little about me? I grew up in Washington State, attended college in Bartlesville, Okla. My husband, Ron, and I have been married for almost nineteen years. Together, we have two grown sons, a step-daughter and a passel of wonderful grandchildren. I have worked as an administrative assistant to a financial adviser for the past twenty-four years and will retire in January 2012, finally! I am looking forward to devoting my time to what I love…writing.

I have many interests and hobbies, including gardening, reading, genealogy, bowling, and traveling. Writing is number one with me, though.

How did you get started writing and what inspires you to write?

Reading was a big passion of mine as a child. The thicker and more involved the book, the more I liked it. So writing was a natural next step for me. I enjoyed doing the essays in school, and I remember one project I had to do in literature class for poetry. The teacher gave us a list of poetry styles and we had to write an original poem for each style. I still have that notebook of poetry. Maybe I should take a second look at that! LOL!

My inspiration has been the stories I grew up hearing about my grandfather. He was killed when my dad was only ten months old, so dad never knew him. He searched for him while he was alive but never found out anything because my grandmother erased all evidence of him. A few years ago, I began the search myself and found a wealth of information on this forgotten man. My favorite books were historical romance when I was growing up, so the interest in my own family history wasn’t much of a leap.

Who is your favorite character and tell us why?

My book, An Unlikely Arrangement is based on my grandparents arranged marriage in the 1920’s. My favorite character is based on him, Peter Kirby. I prefer to think of my grandfather as a good man. He died much too young and was forgotten, quickly. I fashioned this story as a tribute to him.

Did you have any authors that inspired you and what kind of books do you like to read for pleasure?

I really have to say my favorite author is Diana Gabaldon. I love her Outlander Series. She weaves so many things into her books. History, genealogy, time travel, romance, all of it. I love reading things like Gone With The Wind, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, you know, the classics. I love a good mystery, too. Cozy armchair mysteries and who dunnits, but give me a good historical romance any day.

What is your favorite time of day to write? Do you need quiet or music when you write?

Early morning is the best time for me. My husband leaves for work at 5:30 a.m. I love to get up in the quiet part of the morning and let my imagination run, fresh and free. I think it depends on what I am writing as to whether I need music or quiet. If I am writing a lively scene, music helps, but if the piece is a bit more serious, I prefer the quiet.

Are you writing anymore books?

I’m tickled you asked that question. I am actually hosting a contest to help me choose a title for the sequel of An Unlikely Arrangement. I had so many people ask me when the sequel was coming out that I had to write it! I am loving this story even more than the first. I hope everyone will go to my website www.pattywiseman and check out the details of the contest. It is running until January 15th.

I am also working on a different sort of novel, a contemporary romance based on another real life experience. It’s called ‘If It’s Thursday Night, My Name Must Be Lola’. This will be a comical look at a single woman’s survival skills.

I know the New Year is around the corner, do you have any book signings coming up?

I have been so busy with book signings and festivals that the Christmas break is a nice time to catch up on writing my two books. Come January, I will hit the ground running. I have a book signing scheduled in Marshall, Texas on Jan. 20th, and a grand opening TBD. I am scheduled for various festivals throughout the year and will post those on my website as they come up. I have spent a lot of time doing research on some new ideas. Hopefully, January will be the start of an exciting year! Stay tuned to my website for further details!

Patty it was such a pleasure to have you on my blog. You are a very talented lady and I highly recommend to all of my readers to go out and buy a copy of An Unlikely Arrangement. You will not be sorry.